Portable information apparatus

ABSTRACT

An electronic apparatus having a cooling device that can reduce size and cost thereof while maintaining sufficient cooling performance of cooling a portable information apparatus is disclosed. The electronic apparatus includes a portable information apparatus and a cooling device. The portable information apparatus includes a heat-dissipation heat sink thermally connected to a heating body. The cooling device includes a cooling unit for absorbing heat from the heating body. The cooling unit includes a heat-receiving heat sink that is thermally connected to a heat-dissipation heat sink when the portable information apparatus is connected to the cooling device, and a radiator that dissipates heat absorbed in the heat-receiving heat sink to outside. The radiator is disposed on an exhaust path from an air outlet of the portable information apparatus while the portable information apparatus is connected to the cooling device.

PRIORITY CLAIM

The present application claims benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §§120, 365 to the previously filed Japanese Patent Application No.JP2015-232784 with a priority date of Nov. 30, 2015, which isincorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to portable information apparatuses ingeneral, and in particular to a portable information apparatus having acooling device for cooling the portable information apparatus.

BACKGROUND

A portable information apparatus having a lightweight and compact designin consideration of portability often has limited functions. Forexample, a notebook personal computer (laptop PC) typically has limitedfunctions in order to reduce the weight. Thus, there are limitations inincreasing the size and performance of a cooling function of reducingheating from a processor or other devices mounted on a laptop PC andserving as an internal heating body of the laptop PC. In view of this, acooling device detachably coupled to a laptop PC is utilized to supportthe cooling function of the laptop PC.

For example, a cooling device having a heat pipe thermally connected toa heating body of a laptop PC can be mounted on a mount surface and acooling unit is utilize to transfer heat absorbed in the heat pipe to aradiator and to dissipate the heat with an air supply fan.

A laptop PC needs to have predetermined cooling performance even whenused without being connected to a cooling device. Thus, a typical laptopPC generally includes within an apparatus chassis, a radiator fin fordissipating heat from a heating body outward and an air supply fan forsupplying air to the radiator fin. When such a laptop PC is connected toa cooling device, although an air supply fan is provided in the laptopPC, another air supply fan is provided in a cooling device so that thecost and size of the entire device increase and the configuration of thedevice becomes complicated.

In addition, a cooling device as described above needs to have enhancedfunctions such as a computing function, a power supply function, and anextension function, as well as an enhanced cooling function for coolinga laptop PC. Thus, a cooling unit mounted on the cooling devicepreferably reduces the number and sizes of components thereof.

Consequently, it would be desirable to provide an improved coolingdevice for cooling a portable information device such as a laptop PC.

SUMMARY

In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, a portableinformation apparatus includes a cooling device and an apparatus chassiscontaining a heating body and an air supply fan configured to releaseheat generated in the heating body to outside the apparatus chassisthrough an air outlet provided in an outer wall surface of the apparatuschassis. The cooling device, which includes a cooling unit for absorbingheat of the heating body, is configured to be detachably connected tothe portable information apparatus. The portable information apparatusalso includes a heat-dissipation heat sink thermally connected to theheating body. The cooling unit includes a heat-receiving heat sinkconfigured to be thermally connected to the heat-dissipation heat sinkwhen the portable information apparatus is connected to the coolingdevice, and a radiator that dissipates heat absorbed in theheat-receiving heat sink to outside. The radiator is disposed on anexhaust path from an air outlet of the portable information apparatuswhile the portable information apparatus is connected to the coolingdevice.

The radiator in the cooling device is disposed on the exhaust path fromthe air outlet of the portable information apparatus while the portableinformation apparatus is connected to the cooling device. Thisconfiguration enables air to be supplied to the radiator to cool theradiator in the cooling device using the air supply fan mounted in theportable information apparatus. Thus, an air supply fan for supplyingair to the radiator does not need to be provided within the coolingdevice. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the sizes and costs of thecooling device and the electronic apparatus including the coolingdevice, while maintaining sufficient cooling performance for cooling theportable information apparatus.

All features and advantages of the present disclosure will becomeapparent in the following detailed written description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention itself, as well as a preferred mode of use, furtherobjects, and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference tothe following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment whenread in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electronic apparatus according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of a state in which the coolingdevice and a portable information apparatus from FIG. 1 are connected toeach other;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the portable information apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the cooling device;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional plan view illustrating a state in which theportable information apparatus is mounted on and connected to thecooling device;

FIG. 6 is a side view illustrating an internal configuration of each ofthe cooling device and the portable information apparatus that areseparated from each other;

FIG. 7 is a side view illustrating a state in which the cooling deviceand the portable information apparatus illustrated in FIG. 6 areconnected to each other;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a portion near a radiatorhousing of a cooling device according to a variation; and

FIG. 9 is a side view illustrating a state in which the cooling deviceillustrated in FIG. 8 is connected to the portable informationapparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electronic apparatus 10 according toan embodiment of the present invention in which a cooling device 11 anda portable information apparatus 12 are separated from each other. FIG.2 is a cross-sectional side view of a state in which the cooling device11 and the portable information apparatus 12 illustrated in FIG. 1 areconnected to each other. FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the portableinformation apparatus 12. FIG. 4 is a top view of the cooling device 11.

In the electronic apparatus 10 according to this embodiment, theportable information apparatus 12 that is a laptop PC is mounted on andconnected to the cooling device 11 that is an extension device so thatthe cooling function of the portable information apparatus 12 can beenhanced and a processing function, a power supply function, and aconnection function with respect to peripheral equipment and a networkcan be extended and enhanced. The portable information apparatus 12 maybe, of course, a device except a laptop PC, and may be, for example, atablet personal computer (tablet PC) or a smartphone each having nophysical keyboard.

First, an electronic apparatus 10 will be described. As illustrated inFIG. 1, the portable information apparatus 12 is of a clamshell type inwhich a display chassis 18 is coupled to a portable informationapparatus chassis 16 to be freely opened and closed. A keyboard 20 isdisposed on the top surface of the portable information apparatuschassis 16, and a display 22 is provided on the front surface of thedisplay chassis 18.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2-3, a bottom surface 16 a of the portableinformation apparatus chassis 16 includes an apparatus connector 25electrically connected to an extension connector 24 of the coolingdevice 11 and a heat-dissipation heat sink 27 thermally connected to aheat-receiving heat sink 26 of the cooling device 11. The bottom surface16 a has an engaging hole 31 with which an engaging lever 30 projectingfrom the cooling device 11 is engaged. A set of outdoor-air intake vents34 for allowing the air supply fan 32 in the portable informationapparatus chassis 16 to take the outdoor air are provided near a cornerof the bottom surface 16 a.

The apparatus connector 25 is connected to a board 36 (see FIG. 6)housed in the portable information apparatus chassis 16 of the portableinformation apparatus 12. In FIG. 6, the apparatus connector 25 is notshown. The heat-dissipation heat sink 27 is disposed in the portableinformation apparatus chassis 16, exposed from the bottom surface 16 a,and contacts the heat-receiving heat sink 26 of the cooling device 11 tothereby extend the cooling function of the portable informationapparatus 12. Since the heat-dissipation heat sink 27 and theheat-receiving heat sink 26 are thermally connected to each other, heatgenerated in the portable information apparatus 12 is transferred to thecooling device 11 and is dissipated outward. The air supply fan 32 isconfigured to take outdoor air from the outdoor-air intake vents 34 inthe bottom surface 16 a and supply air to radiator fins 38 (see FIG. 5)described later.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-2, the cooling device 11 is used with theportable information apparatus chassis 16 of the portable informationapparatus 12 mounted on the cooling device 11, and includes a devicechassis 40 formed by using of a synthetic resin material and providedwith a PC mount part 42 and a radiator housing 44.

The PC mount part 42 has a box shape having a top surface that is largeenough to allow the portable information apparatus 12 to be mounted onthe top surface. The PC mount part 42 is tilted to have its heightgradually increase from the front to the rear, and includes a mountsurface 42 a on which the bottom surface 16 a of the portableinformation apparatus 12 is placed and a refuge surface 42 b that isrecessed at the rear of the mount surface 42 a. The refuge surface 42 bis a lower portion for avoiding an unillustrated battery or anotherobject that possibly projects from a rear lower surface of the portableinformation apparatus 12.

The radiator housing 44 is a box having a rectangular solid shape whoseheight is larger than that of the PC mount part 42, and is disposed at aside and the rear of the PC mount part 42 (at a side of the refugesurface 42 b). A radiator 46 of a cooling unit 45 described later ishoused in the radiator housing 44. An ejecting button 47 is provided onthe upper surface of the radiator housing 44. The ejecting button 47 isan operating button that is operated when the portable informationapparatus 12 mounted on and connected to the cooling device 11 isdetached. A positioning member 48 projecting from the refuge surface 42b is provided on a rear portion of a side surface of the radiatorhousing 44 facing the refuge surface 42 b. The positioning member 48 isa member for positioning a rear end surface of the portable informationapparatus 12 in mounting the portable information apparatus 12 on the PCmount part 42.

The extension connector 24 is provided on the mount surface 42 a. Theextension connector 24 is connected to an unillustrated board housed inthe PC mount part 42, and projects from the mount surface 42 a. Theextension connector 24 constitutes a connection terminal of eachextension function provided in the cooling device 11, and is connectedto the apparatus connector 25 provided on the bottom surface 16 a of theportable information apparatus 12. Connection of the apparatus connector25 to the extension connector 24 electrically connects the coolingdevice 11 and the portable information apparatus 12 so that theextension functions provided in the cooling device 11 can be used byusing the portable information apparatus 12.

The engaging lever 30 projects from each of the left and right sides ofthe extension connector 24, and has its top exposed at the mount surface42 a. A guide post 49 having a U shape in plan projects to surroundthree sides: front, left, and right, of each engaging lever 30. Theguide post 49 serves as a positioning pin for positioning the portableinformation apparatus 12 relative to the device chassis 40 by insertingthe guide post 49 together with the engaging lever 30 into the engaginghole 31 of the portable information apparatus 12 to connect the portableinformation apparatus 12 to the cooling device 11.

A cooling structure of the electronic apparatus 10 will now bedescribed. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional plan view of a state in which theportable information apparatus 12 is mounted on and connected to thecooling device 11. FIG. 6 is a side view of the cooling device 11 andthe portable information apparatus 12 that are separated from eachother. FIG. 7 is a side view of a state in which the cooling device 11and the portable information apparatus 12 illustrated in FIG. 6 areconnected to each other.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 6, the cooling device 11 includes acooling unit (water cooling unit) 45 in which the radiator 46, a watercooling jacket 50, and a circulating pump 51 are connected to oneanother in a loop by pipes 52 so that cooling water circulates. Thewater cooling jacket 50 is integrated with the heat-receiving heat sink26. In other words, the water cooling jacket 50 is used as theheat-receiving heat sink 26. In the cooling unit 45 having such aconfiguration, cooling water from which heat has been dissipated in theradiator 46 is introduced into the water cooling jacket 50. The coolingwater that has collected heat of the heat-receiving heat sink 26 in thewater cooling jacket 50 is introduced into the radiator 46 again throughthe circulating pump 51. In this manner, the heat-receiving heat sink 26can be cooled with a high cooling efficiency.

Each of the heat-receiving heat sink 26 and the water cooling jacket 50is a rectangular plate member made of a metal material having a highthermal conductivity, such as copper or aluminum. Cooling water issupplied from the radiator 46 to the inside of the water cooling jacket50 through the pipes 52. This cooling water is released to the pipes 52to the circulating pump 51.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5, the radiator housing 44 housing theradiator 46 has an air inlet 54 in a side surface (outer wall surface)44 a facing the PC mount part 42, and also has a device air outlet 56 ina back surface 44 b facing rearward. Outdoor air taken in the radiatorhousing 44 through the air inlet 54 passes through gaps amongunillustrated fins to cool cooling water circulating in the radiator 46,and then, is released from the device air outlet 56 to the outside (seeFIG. 5).

As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, a heating body 60 attached to the board36, the heat-dissipation heat sink 27, a heat pipe 62, the radiator fins38, and the air supply fan 32 are provided in the portable informationapparatus chassis 16 of the portable information apparatus 12. Thebottom surface 16 a of the portable information apparatus chassis 16 hasthe outdoor-air intake vents 34 serving as outdoor inlets to the airsupply fan 32. A side surface (outer wall surface) 16 b of the portableinformation apparatus chassis 16 has an air outlet 64 serving as anoutdoor air outlet for air from the air supply fan 32.

The heat-dissipation heat sink 27 is a rectangular plate member made ofa metal material having a high thermal conductivity, such as copper oraluminum. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the heat-dissipation heat sink 27 isthermally connected to the heating body 60 that is an electroniccomponent, such as CPU or a GPU, provided in the portable informationapparatus chassis 16. With this configuration, heat generated in theheating body 60 is efficiently transferred to the heat-dissipation heatsink 27.

The heat pipe 62 has an end thermally connected to the heat-dissipationheat sink 27 and the other end thermally connected to the radiator fins38. The heat pipe 62 is a heat transfer member that transfers, to theradiator fins 38, heat transferred from the heating body 60 to theheat-dissipation heat sink 27.

The radiator fins 38 are made of a metal material having a high thermalconductivity, such as copper or aluminum. The radiator fins 38 aredisposed between the inner surface of the air outlet 64 formed in theside surface 16 b of the portable information apparatus chassis 16 andthe outlet of the air supply fan 32. Outdoor air sucked from theoutdoor-air intake vents 34 into the air supply fan 32 passes throughgaps between the radiator fins 38 to cool the radiator fins 38, andthen, is released from the air outlet 64.

Thus, in attaching the portable information apparatus 12 to the coolingdevice 11, the extension connector 24 and the apparatus connector 25 areconnected to each other while the engaging levers 30 and the guide posts49 are inserted into the engaging holes 31 in the bottom surface 16 a ofthe portable information apparatus 12 with the rear end surface of theportable information apparatus 12 positioned with the positioning member48. In this manner, the extension connector 24 and the apparatusconnector 25 are electrically connected to each other, and the engaginglevers 30 are engaged with the engaging holes 31 so that detachment ofthe portable information apparatus 12 from the cooling device 11 isinhibited (see FIG. 5).

When the portable information apparatus 12 is attached to the coolingdevice 11 in the manner described above, a surface of the heat-receivingheat sink 26 (water cooling jacket 50) facing the cooling device 11comes into contact with the a surface of the heat-dissipation heat sink27 facing the portable information apparatus 12, as illustrated in FIG.7. In addition, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 7, the air outlet 64 ofthe portable information apparatus 12 and the air inlet 54 of theradiator housing 44 of the cooling device 11 are opposed to each otherwith a gap G interposed therebetween. That is, the air inlet 54 of theradiator housing 44 of the cooling device 11 is disposed on an exhaustpath from the air outlet 64 by the air supply fan 32 of the portableinformation apparatus 12, and the radiator 46 is also disposed on thisexhaust path accordingly.

Consequently, heat generated in the heating body 60 in the portableinformation apparatus 12 is transferred from the heat-dissipation heatsink 27 to the heat-receiving heat sink 26, and collected by coolingwater flowing in the water cooling jacket 50, and then supplied to theradiator 46. Since exhaust air from the exhaust air supply fan 32 thathas cooled the radiator fins 38 is supplied to the radiator 46, coolingwater flowing in the radiator 46 is cooled. At this time, a part of heatgenerated in the heating body 60 is transferred from theheat-dissipation heat sink 27 to the radiator fins 38 through the heatpipe 62, and this air supply from the air supply fan 32 to the radiatorfins 38 dissipates heat to the outside. Of course, in a case where theportable information apparatus 12 is not attached to the cooling device11 and is used alone, heat generated in the heating body 60 can bedissipated from the radiator fins 38 to the outside.

As described above, the electronic apparatus 10 according to the presentembodiment includes a portable information apparatus 12 having anapparatus chassis 16 housing a heating body 60 and an air supply fan 32disposed in the apparatus chassis 16 and configured to release heatgenerated in the heating body 60 to outside the apparatus chassis 16through an air outlet 64 provided in a side surface 16 b that is anouter wall surface of the apparatus chassis 16; and a cooling device 11including a cooling unit 45 for absorbing heat of the heating body 60and configured to be detachably connected to the portable informationapparatus 12. The portable information apparatus 12 includes aheat-dissipation heat sink 27 thermally connected to the heating body60. The cooling unit 45 includes a heat-receiving heat sink 26configured to be thermally connected to the heat-dissipation heat sink27 when the portable information apparatus 12 is connected to thecooling device 11, and a radiator 46 that dissipates heat absorbed inthe heat-receiving heat sink 26 to outside. The radiator 46 is disposedon an exhaust path from an air outlet 64 of the portable informationapparatus 12 while the portable information apparatus 12 is connected tothe cooling device 11.

As described above, in the electronic apparatus 10, while the portableinformation apparatus 12 is connected to the cooling device 11, theradiator 46 is disposed on the exhaust path from the air outlet 64 ofthe portable information apparatus 12. In this manner, air can besupplied to the radiator 46 in the cooling device 11 to cool theradiator 46 by using the air supply fan 32 mounted in the portableinformation apparatus 12. Thus, an air supply fan for supplying air tothe radiator 46 does not need to be provided in the cooling device 11.As a result, it is possible to reduce the sizes and costs of the coolingdevice 11 and the electronic apparatus 10 including the cooling device11, while maintaining sufficient cooling performance for cooling theportable information apparatus 12. In particular, although the airsupply fan 32 is preferably provided in consideration of use of theportable information apparatus 12 alone, since the cooling device 11needs to have extension functions such as a computing function and apower supply function as well as an enhanced cooling function forcooling the portable information apparatus 12, elimination of an airsupply fan for reducing the number of parts is advantageous.

In the electronic apparatus 10, a gap G is formed between the air outlet64 and the radiator 46 (air inlet 54) while the portable informationapparatus 12 is connected to the cooling device 11. In this manner, airthat has been supplied from the air supply fan 32 and released from theair outlet 64 through the radiator fins 38 is mixed with outdoor air andcooled while passing through the gap G, and is introduced into the airinlet 54. Consequently, exhaust air that has passed through the radiatorfins 38 to have an increased temperature is cooled in the gap G and thensupplied to the radiator 46. Thus, cooling efficiency of the radiator 46can be enhanced. Experiments with the electronic apparatus 10 showedthat although varying depending on an ambient temperature, thetemperature of air decreased by about 5° C. at each 1 cm of width of thegap G (i.e., distance between the air outlet 64 and the air inlet 54).Thus, exhaust air at a temperature of 50° C. to 55° C. at the air outlet64 under a room temperature of 28° C. was cooled while passing throughthe gap G having a width of about 2 cm, and introduced to the air inlet54 at a temperature of 40° C. to 45° C. Thus, the radiator 46 in whichcooling water at a temperature of 50° C. to 55° C. circulates wassufficiently cooled.

In this case, the cooling unit 45 of the cooling device 11 is a watercooling unit in which the radiator 46, the water cooling jacket 50, andthe circulating pump 51 are connected to one another in a loop by thepipes 52 so that cooling water circulates, and uses the water coolingjacket 50 as the heat-receiving heat sink 26. Thus, the cooling device11 can efficiently cool the portable information apparatus 12.

In the electronic apparatus 10, the heat-dissipation heat sink 27 islocated closer to the heating body 60 than the radiator fins 38 are (seeFIGS. 6 and 7). Specifically, the heat-dissipation heat sink 27 isdisposed immediately under the heating body 60, and the radiator fins 38are separated from the heat-dissipation heat sink 27 with the heat pipe62 interposed therebetween. This configuration enables a large part ofheat generated in the heating body 60 to be transferred from theheat-dissipation heat sink 27 to the heat-receiving heat sink 26 in thewater cooling unit 45 having a larger heat dissipation capacity thanthat of the radiator fins 38, thereby enhancing cooling efficiency ofthe heating body 60. In addition, with a reduction of the amount of heattransfer to the radiator fins 38, the temperature of exhaust air fromthe air outlet 64 decreases, and thus, cooling efficiency of theradiator 46 is enhanced.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a portion near a radiator housing 44 ofa cooling device 11A according to a variation. FIG. 9 is a side view ofa state in which the cooling device 11A illustrated in FIG. 8 isconnected to the portable information apparatus 12.

As illustrated in FIGS. 8-9, in the cooling device 11A, a rectangularcylindrical duct member 66 is provided on a side surface (outer wallsurface) 44 a of the radiator housing 44. The duct member 66 surroundsthe air inlet 54 formed in the side surface 44 a and projects from theside surface 44 a. A plurality of slit holes 66 a are formed in upperand lower outer wall surfaces of the duct member 66.

The duct member 66 is opposed to the air outlet 64 in such a manner thata front opening 66 b of the duct member 66 surrounds at least a part ofthe air outlet 64 of the portable information apparatus 12 while theportable information apparatus 12 is connected to the cooling device11A. In this manner, exhaust air from the air outlet 64 flows into theduct member 66 through the opening 66 b and is introduced into the airinlet 54. Consequently, exhaust air from the air outlet 64 can be moresmoothly supplied to the radiator 46 without fail, thereby enhancingcooling efficiency of the radiator 46. In addition, since the ductmember 66 has the holes 66 a, outdoor air is forcedly sucked from theholes 66 a into the duct member 66 that is caused to be at a negativepressure by passage of exhaust air. Accordingly, air passing through theduct member 66 can be cooled, thereby further enhancing coolingefficiency of the radiator 46.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above,and can be, of course, freely changed without departing from the gist ofthe invention.

In the example of the embodiment described above, the air outlet 64 isprovided in the side surface 16 b of the portable information apparatus12. Alternatively, the air outlet 64 may be provided in another sidesurface or the bottom surface of the portable information apparatus 12.Similarly, the radiator 46 may be provided on another surface or the topsurface (mount surface 42 a) of the device chassis 40 as long as theradiator 46 is disposed on the exhaust path from the air outlet 64 inthe portable information apparatus 12.

In the example of the embodiment described above, the cooling device 11includes the cooling unit 45. Alternatively, the cooling unit 45 may bereplaced by an air cooling unit.

As has been described, the present invention provides a portableinformation apparatus having a cooling device for cooling the portableinformation apparatus.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described withreference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by thoseskilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A docking apparatus comprising: a chassis havingan upward-facing surface to be contacted with a bottom surface of aportable information apparatus having a heating body; a heat-dissipationheat sink thermally connected to said heating body; an air supply fan;an air outlet located at a side surface orthogonal to said bottomsurface of said portable information apparatus; a heat transfer memberthermally connected to said heat-dissipation heat sink; and a radiatorfin thermally connected to said heat transfer member, wherein saidradiator fin is disposed between said air supply fan and said airoutlet; a cooling unit, located on said chassis, includes aheat-receiving heat sink, located on said upward-facing surface of saidchassis, to be contacted with said heat-dissipation heat sink when saidportable information apparatus is detachably connected to said chassis;a radiator; and a plurality of pipes connecting said heat-receiving heatsink to said radiator for dissipating heat absorbed by saidheat-receiving heat sink to said radiator; and a duct member, located onsaid chassis, to be connected between said air outlet of said portableinformation apparatus and said radiator of said cooling unit in order todirect heat from said radiator fin of said portable informationapparatus to said radiator of said cooling unit of said cooling unit. 2.The docking apparatus of claim 1, wherein said plurality of pipescontain water inside.
 3. The docking apparatus of claim 2, wherein saidcooling unit includes a circulating pump.
 4. The docking apparatus ofclaim 3, wherein said radiator and said circulating pump are connectedto one another in a loop by said plurality of pipes in order for saidwater to circulate.
 5. The docking apparatus of claim 4, wherein saidheat-receiving heat sink includes a water cooling jacket.